The last few weeks I have been enjoying my status in life as a grandma. We have fifteen grandkids, and they all have been at our home at different times in the past month. Some of them are in their early adult years, and that makes for fun conversations about their hopes and plans for the future. We have enjoyed a couple stops at the college campus to see where our oldest grandson will be living in the next several months. Fun to see what has changed in the world of dormitories and what seems to remain the same.
Our two granddaughters from Burnsville stayed with us for the better part of a week, and we attempted to conquer the attic while they were here! I had been wanting to clean it, sort, purge, and try to make some sense of the chaos up there. After almost fifty years of living in the same house, and raising our children and foster kids here, we uncovered many things that hadn’t been looked at in a very long time. We found lost treasures along with much that headed directly to the burn barrel. What remains are some boxes that only Dan and I can go through, and I imagine we will laugh, cry, and then do more burning! One unique find was an old conveyor canvas for a pull-type swather, complete with wooden slats, buckles and straps. An old butter churn, metal lamp, and antique ironing board brought back memories from times gone by.
A few of our grandkids stayed for a couple nights before we sent them off to camp up north near Park Rapids, MN. That is where our church camp is, and we enjoy treating any of our grandkids that want to go each summer to that experience. While they were here, we enjoyed a few games of Mexican Train with dominoes, along with some movies, popcorn and ice cream shakes. Many of them are eager to help with household chores or meals while they are here, so that makes having them come that much more enjoyable.
One of the weekends in July found two of our children and their complete families here for lunch and many laughs around the table. It seems like when our family gets together we spend the majority of the time rehashing old memories or trying to solve the world’s problems sitting around the dining room table. It can go on for hours, but it sure doesn’t seem that long while we are enjoying each other’s company. Oftentimes several of the grandkids are clustered around another temporary table set up in one end of the living room. When our time is over, I find games, cards, candy wrappers, and other tell tale signs that they were having as much fun as we were.
Another one of our children and their family has been visiting for the last few days. After shopping and running a few errands, we ended up for supper at a local fast food place. Pretty soon we were enjoying the youngest grandkids and their antics as they tried to refill their drinks. When a problem arose at the drink machine, it was comforting to know that “Mom” would go to the rescue, and me as “Grandma” could just sit peacefully and watch. The older girls and I enjoyed watching to see how the scene would play out, and they remembered their own times of when mom came to the rescue!
I love that the grandkids like to go with me on some of my own daily events. This week some of my granddaughters are excited to come be part of the “Lily Pads”…..well, that is what they call us! The Water Lilies meet at the Fulda Pool three mornings a week for exercise, and this week some of them want to tag along. They enjoy the warm water and physical activity as much as I do, and they think it is fun to see all the ladies at the pool. This week they will even get to enjoy our monthly brunch after our workout!
It is fun to reminisce about all the reasons to love each and every one of our grandkids. Their personalities are different, and it seems that I have a connection with each one that is just special between us. I love that! I so enjoy hearing about their lives and what is important to them right in this moment. There is never enough time to spend with them.
When we were cleaning out the attic many photographs and hand drawn pictures peeked out of dusty boxes that told of earlier days with some of the grandkids and their families. I saved them because they were special to me, and they are still treasures today. Some of my “stuff” will just stay with me as long as I can keep it. It just warms my heart.
I remember the day my daughter told me I was going to be a grandma for the first time. I gasped and said, “Oh, my.” She wondered if I wasn’t happy about it, but it wasn’t that. I just didn’t feel old enough to be a grandma! But that feeling soon changed as both Dan and I anticipated a new little life coming to be part of our family. And I wouldn’t want it any other way.
Usually once a week we have the privilege of keeping our youngest grandchild with us at the farm. She loves to read books with me, and a couple of them are read every nap time before she cuddles up with her blanket and teddy bear. One she loves to partly “read” to me, as she knows each picture and message almost by heart. The other book is titled, “ I’m Glad I’m Your Grandma”. That one has the greatest pictures of different grandmas enjoying time and activities with their grandkids. Simple pleasures like the park, taking a walk, sitting together for a chat, hugs, playing games, and praying together. Or talking on the phone or getting a written card or note with grandkids who live further away.
Time for each other. Time to share and learn each other’s stories. Time spent together before it is too late. Proverbs 17:6 says, “ Children’s children are a crown to the aged…..”
Yes, most of all I am glad I am your grandma because you are God’s wonderful gift to me!
lbeerman68@gmail.com
